1. International St. Croix River Watershed Board
Advisory Committee of the North Lake Local Service District
Public Forum
Bill Appleby
Canadian Co-chair
International St. Croix River Watershed Board
1 April 2017

2. International Joint Commission
The IJC is an international organization created by Canada and the U.S. to serve as an independent and objective advisor to the governments
The IJC was created under the Boundary Waters Treaty, signed by Canada and the U.S. in 1909
The treaty provides general principals for preventing and resolving disputes over waters shared between the two countries. Specific application of these principles is decided on a case- by-case basis. .

3. International Joint Commission
There are six IJC Commissioners.
Canada and the U.S. each appoint three Commissioners, including one chair for each country.
Commissioners are appointed by the highest level of government in each country. Once appointed they do not represent the national governments; they operate at arm's length.
Canadian Section
United States Section
Gordon Walker, Q.C. Canadian Chair
Lana Pollock
US Chair
Hon. Benoit Bouchard
Rich Moy
Richard A. Morgan

4. International Joint Commission
The IJC has two main responsibilities:
Regulating shared waters uses
Investigating transboundary issues and recommending solutions
The IJC also alerts the governments to emerging issues along the boundary that may give rise to bilateral disputes

5. International Joint Commission
Regulating shared water uses
The IJC makes decisions on applications for projects that affect the natural level and flow of waters across the Canada-U.S. boundary
If the IJC approves a project, it may require conditions (Orders of Approval) for project design or operation to protect interests on either side of the boundary.
Investigating transboundary issues and recommending solutions (not binding)
Usually based on a Reference (a request from the Canada and US governments)
Have focused mostly on water and air quality

6. IJC – International St. Croix River Watershed Board
IJC has operated International Boards in the St. Croix watershed since 1915
Members serve as volunteer experts and do not represent their agencies
Originally 2 Boards:
International Board of Control (e.g. water levels, flow)
International Advisory Board on Pollution Control (e.g. water quality)
The two Boards were combined in 2000 and the International St. Croix River Watershed Board was established in 2007 as the IJC’s first international watershed board

7. International St. Croix River Watershed Board
Board membership includes 5 Canadian and 5 U.S. members with a diversity of expertise and interests
Canada
United States
Bill Appleby, Co-Chair
Director, Prediction Services Operations East
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Colonel Christopher Barron, Co-Chair
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District
Jesse Davies
Saint Andrews, New Brunswick
Susanne Miller
Regional Director, Eastern Maine
Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection
Geoff Mercer
Regional Director General, Atlantic & Quebec Region
Robert M. Lent, Ph. D.
Maine District Chief
U.S. Geological Survey
Don Fox
NB Provincial Water Quality Specialist
NB Dept of the Environment &Local Government
Ralph Abele
Instream Flow Coordinator
U.S. EPA New England Region
Robert Stephenson, Ph. D.
Director, visiting Professor UNB & Research Scientist St. Andrews Biological Station (Fisheries and Oceans Canada)
Vacant

8. International St. Croix River Watershed Board
Mandate:
Monitors compliance with the IJC's Orders of Approval for structures in the St. Croix River.
Monitors the ecological health of the St. Croix River boundary waters aquatic ecosystem
Proactively assists the IJC in identifying, preventing and resolving disputes regarding the boundary waters of the St. Croix River

9. International St. Croix River Watershed Board
Takes an integrated ecosystem approach to identifying and resolving transboundary issues
Seeks to facilitate communication among stakeholders to improve understanding of the issues and to facilitate resolution of issues at the local level.
Seeks to facilitate or support scientific studies to understand conditions and trends that threaten ecosystem health or sustainability of the watershed
Seeks to provide information and tools to allow for wise management of the ecosystem.

10. International St. Croix River Watershed Board
Compliance with IJC Orders of Approval
4 structures on the St. Croix under IJC Orders:
Milltown (1934)
Grand Falls (1915 and 1931)
Vanceboro (1965)
Forest City (1965)
Forest City Order of Approval
Discharge from East Grand Lake shall not be less than 75 cfs
Elevation of East Grand Lake near Forest City, ME, shall not be greater than ft mean sea level nor less than ft mean sea level
There are 4 dams with IJC orders of approval under the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty on the St. Croix River Boundary water – Milltown, Grand Falls, Vanceboro, Forest City
IJC Orders were issued in:
1915 and 1931 at Grand Falls Dam
1934 for Milltown Dam
1965 for Vanceboro Dam and Forest City Dam
Woodland Dam does not have an IJC order as it was built in 1905 and predates the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty
There are hydro-electric generation facilities at Grand Falls, Woodland, and Milltown Dams.

11. International St. Croix River Watershed Board
To monitor and ensure Compliance with IJC Orders, the Board:
Works with facility owners and federal agencies to monitor water levels and flows at structures under IJC Orders
Meets with owners
and conducts annual site visits to structures
under IJC Orders
Prepares an annual report, hosts an annual public meeting in the basin and briefs the IJC Commissioners

12. International St. Croix River Watershed Board
Monitor ecological health
Facilitates or supports studies and research, & provides information and tools such as:
Alewife Counts
Trophic & Marine Interactions
Analysis of Historical Smallmouth Bass Habitat
Transboundary Water Quality & Human Health Issues
Water Temperature
Data Harmonisation & Mapping

13. International St. Croix River Watershed Board
Identifying, preventing & resolving disputes:
Engages local stakeholders in identifying and resolving local problems, such as facilitating efforts to re-open portions of the river to alewife
Supports efforts to enhance communication and understanding among stakeholders, such as holding annual public meetings to report on Board activities, engage citizens to identify issues and share information on projects
Promotes opportunities for local stakeholders and agencies to work together on watershed planning such as supporting and co-hosted St Croix Science Forum 2014

14. Woodland Pulp Forest City FERC Surrender Application
What is the St. Croix Board doing:
Discussed the situation with Woodland Pulp
Alerted the IJC
Alerted relevant government depts in Canada
Requested Woodland Pulp to officially notify the IJC of the FERC application
Talking with stakeholders and tracking concerns
Recommending the IJC seek additional information to better understand the impacts of the proposed changes and the ability to comply with the IJC Orders at Forest City
June Public Meeting in McAdam (June 13 TBD) to update and discuss issue

15. International St. Croix River Watershed Board
Questions?
Thank You!